Your doctor may have prescribed you a drug called Encorafenib (known by the brand name Braftovi) to treat a cancer condition. When you are prescribed a special medication like this, it is normal for you to have a lot of questions about it. You may be wondering, "What will happen with this?", "What should I be concerned about?", "What are the side effects?" So, don't worry. Today, we will simply talk to you about this medication, what it does, and how to use it.
Simply put, what kind of medicine is this?
Encorafenib is a medicine used to treat several types of cancer. There are different signaling pathways in our body that control the growth of cells. Some cancer cells use a special protein that helps them grow rapidly, or multiply, without control.
Simply put, Encorafenib works by blocking the action of a protein that helps cancer cells grow. It's like turning off the engine of a speeding car. This slows down or stops the spread of cancer cells. Sometimes, this drug is given in combination with other medications as a treatment.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
This is a very important part. Your doctor needs to know your complete medical history to help you choose the best and safest treatment for you. Therefore, before starting Encorafenib, be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the conditions listed below.
- Allergies: If you have an allergy (allergy) to Encorafenib, any other medicine, food, or dye.
- Heart disease: If you have any heart disease, especially an irregular heartbeat.
- Eye problems: If you have vision problems or eye diseases.
- Liver or kidney disease: If you have any liver or kidney disease.
- Bleeding disorders: If you have a condition where your blood does not clot easily or you bleed frequently.
- Blood mineral levels: If a doctor has told you that your blood levels of potassium, calcium, or magnesium are low.
- Pregnancy: It is important to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. There are special instructions for using this medicine during these times.
Give your doctor a complete list of other medications, vitamins, and traditional medicines (such as decoctions and herbs) you are taking, as some medications may interact with this one.
How to use the medicine correctly?
As the doctor says, taking the correct dosage at the correct time is very important for the success of the treatment.
- How to take: These capsules should be taken with a glass of water.
- Time: Try to take it at the same time every day as much as possible. This helps keep the concentration of the medicine in the blood at the same level.
- With or without food: This medicine can be taken before or after food. However, if you experience stomach upset or nausea, taking it with food may help reduce it.
- Dosage changes: If you experience side effects, your doctor may decide to lower your dose or stop taking the medication for a while. Never change your dose or stop taking the medication without your doctor's advice.
- Grapefruit juice: Avoid drinking grapefruit or grapefruit juice completely while taking this medication. It can affect the way the medication is absorbed by the body.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
Sometimes we miss a dose of medicine. If that happens, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is less than 12 hours until your next dose when you remember, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.
If you vomit after taking the medicine, do not take another dose. Take the medicine as usual at the scheduled time the next day.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Encorafenib can interact with some other medications. This is called a ``Drug Interaction''. When this happens, either the effectiveness of Encorafenib may be reduced, or the risk of side effects may increase.
Therefore, it is very important to inform your doctor about all medications you are taking. Encorafenib may interact particularly well with the following medications.
| Nature of the collision | Examples (types of medicine) |
|---|---|
| Medicines to avoid completely | Medications such as Dronedarone, Pimozide, Thioridazine, Fluconazole, Voriconazole, Elagolix, Elbasvir; grazoprevir. |
| Other things that may cause complications (should be reported to the doctor ) |
|
This list is not complete, so tell your doctor about all the medications you are already taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies) , not just any new medications you start.
Things to be especially careful about when taking medication
It is important to be aware of these factors to get the most out of this medication and minimize the risks.
- Regular medical checkups: Your doctor will ask you to see him/her on scheduled days. Be sure to go on those days to check your condition. He/she may also order things like blood work.
- Eye Care: Some people may experience changes in their vision while taking this medication. Your doctor may check your eyes before you start taking the medication and while you are taking it. If you experience eye pain, redness, blurred vision, or changes in your vision , tell your doctor right away.
- Other cancer risk: This is something to be aware of. Some people taking encorafenib may have a small risk of developing other types of cancer, especially skin cancer. So if you notice anything on your skin, such as a new mole, lump, or sore that doesn't heal, tell your doctor right away.
- Pregnancy and birth control (very important):
- Taking this medicine during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects in the baby in the womb.
- Therefore, you need to take a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant before starting the medication.
- You should avoid getting pregnant while taking the pill and for 2 weeks after stopping the pill .
- Most importantly, this medicine may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills containing hormones (estrogen, progestin). Therefore, a barrier method of birth control such as condoms should be used.
- Breastfeeding: Avoid breastfeeding your baby while taking this medicine and for 2 weeks after stopping the medicine .
- Effects on fertility: This medicine may affect fertility in both men and women. If you have any concerns about fathering children, talk to your doctor before starting treatment.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medicine, Encorafenib can cause side effects in some people. However, not all of them will happen to everyone. The most important thing is to be aware of these and tell your doctor right away if you notice anything serious.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic Reaction | Skin rash, severe itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing. |
| Bleeding | Black or tarry stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, red or dark brown urine, small red/purple spots on the skin, and unexplained bruising. |
| Heart Failure Symptoms | Difficulty breathing, swelling of the ankles, feet or hands, sudden weight gain, extreme fatigue. |
| Changes in heart rate | Feeling like your heart is beating fast or irregularly, dizziness, fainting, chest pain. |
| Symptoms of Liver Injury | Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, pale stools, dark yellow/brown urine, and yellowing of the eyes or skin. |
| Skin reactions | Redness, swelling, and blistering of the skin on the palms and soles of the feet, accompanied by pain. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Digestive system problems | Stomach pain, diarrhea (bloating), nausea, vomiting. |
| Other common disorders | Joint pain, fatigue, skin rashes . |
How to store and dispose of medicine safely?
- Storage: Keep the medicine bottle out of the reach of children and pets . It is best to store it at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius). To protect the medicine from moisture, keep it in the original bottle, with the lid tightly closed. Do not remove the small packet (desiccant) inside the bottle. It is used to absorb moisture from the medicine.
- Disposal: The best way to dispose of expired or unused medications is to ask your doctor or hospital pharmacy. Some places have programs that accept old medications. If that's not possible, and you're throwing them out with the trash, take the medication out of the bottle, mix it with something like used coffee grounds or soil, put it in a tightly sealed bag, and throw it in the trash. Never flush it down the toilet.
Take-Home Message
- Encorafenib is a medicine that stops the growth of cancer cells. Always take it exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the right time.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about any other medications, vitamins, or herbal remedies you are taking.
- Be aware of signs of serious side effects (such as heavy bleeding, difficulty breathing, yellowing of the eyes). If you notice any of these, seek medical advice immediately.
- Avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medication and for 2 weeks after stopping. It is essential to use a barrier method such as condoms in addition to birth control pills.
- This medicine is for you only. Do not give this medicine to anyone else for any reason.
💬 Comments (0)
No comments have been posted yet. Add your comment here for the first time.
Add your comment